Citation

Franzblau SH, Echevarria S, Smith M, Van Cantfort TE. J. Interpers. Violence 2008; 23(12): 1800-1808.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA. sfranzblau@uncfsu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260508314329

PMID

18319369

Abstract

Researchers have shown that mood and sense of control over one's life are significantly affected by testimony and other forms of disclosure and that learning to control breathing has positive effects on mood and anxiety. This preliminary experiment tests whether African American and European American abused women who give testimony about their experiences of intimate partner violence and learn how to use yogic breathing techniques have reduced feelings of depression. Results indicate that learning yogic breathing techniques alone and combined with giving testimony significantly reduces feelings of depression. Recasting women as authorities on domestic violence and teaching them how to calm their minds by focusing on yogic breathing may be simple and effective ways to help women take control over their bodies and lives.

Language: en